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[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts’ DeForest Buckner initially appears poised to return for 2026 season

Indianapolis Colts former Pro Bowl veteran defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner, who recently had neck surgery, looks like he’s eyeing a return for the 2026 regular season (via his personal Instagram account):

#Colts DT DeForest Buckner, who recently had neck surgery, shared a Bible passage and message via IG:

“Next season I will be complete ” pic.twitter.com/QE39vbKDYq

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 7, 2026

On Thursday, Colts embattled longtime general manager Chris Ballard also indicated in his end-of-season press conference that, “Buck had surgery it was successful. His mindset is that he’s going to play again.”

The 31-year-old veteran defensive tackle was limited to 10 starts this past season because of a lingering neck injury. After Week 9 at the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buckner was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury. However, after being activated off injured reserve in Week 16, he re-aggravated the injury against the San Francisco 49ers at home and was shut down for the season, being placed on injured reserve again.

This time, for good in 2025.

He finished his 10th season prematurely with 47 tackles (30 solo) and 4.0 sacks during those 10 starts. Per PFF, he was graded as their 16th best interior defender this past regular season with a +74.0 overall grade.

Buckner has one year left on his current Colts contract for 2026 with a cap hit of $20.8M.

In recent seasons, Buckner been arguably the Colts most valuable player collectively and unquestionably their best defensive player consistently since retired All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard suffered a career-altering back injury. It’ll be interesting to see whether this neck injury limits Buckner or if he can make a full recovery himself.

Source: https://www.stampedeblue.com/indian...ally-appears-poised-to-return-for-2026-season

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts LG Quenton Nelson named 2025 NFL 2nd-Team All-Pro

This past Saturday, the AP announced that Indianapolis Colts stalwart left guard Quenton Nelson was named an NFL 2nd-Team All-Pro—who was the Horseshoe’s lone All-Pro representative this year.

It’s the sixth time that Nelson has been named an NFL All-Pro in his future Hall of Fame career—having been named an NFL First-Team All-Pro during 2018-20 and an NFL 2nd-Team All-Pro in 2021, 2024, and 2025 respectively. He’s also been an NFL Pro Bowler in each of his first eight seasons.

Given injuries to their other stars, the only other Colts player who should’ve been realistically been under consideration this past year was star workhorse Jonathan Taylor, but after he saw his production decline down the season’s final stretch, he was beat out by both the Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson (1st-Team) and the Buffalo Bills James Cook (2nd-Team) at his position respectively.

It’s worth noting that the group of Taylor, rookie tight end Tyler Warren, safety Cam Bynum, punter Rigoberto Sanchez, long-snapper Luke Rhodes, and special teamer (wideout) Ashton Dulin all received votes though.

Regarding Nelson though, he made all 17 starts for Indianapolis again this season—which he’s done four seasons in a row becoming a modern day ironman out there. Per PFF, Nelson earned a +84.5 overall grade this past year, which was the 4th highest among all players at offensive guard.

Consistently the catalyst along the Colts offensive line yet again, the 29-year-old offensive guard was instrumental in paving the way for Taylor to rush for 1,585 total rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 323 total carries. In pass protection, Nelson was equally exceptional—allowing just a single sack, 2 QB hits, and 15 total pressures during 637 total pass blocking snaps this past year.

Obviously, it’s another tip of the cap to Nelson who no doubt appears to be Canton-bound when it’s all said and done. Hopefully, the Colts can finally get him back to the playoffs again because he’s only played in 3 career postseason games, which simply hasn’t been good enough as of late collectively.

Source: https://www.stampedeblue.com/indian...uenton-nelson-named-2025-nfl-2nd-team-all-pro